NFL Player News

Coach Andy Reid said Wednesday that Mahomes will sit out Sunday's regular-season finale against the Chargers, Sam McDowell of The Kansas City Star reports.

Mahomes will get a week of rest with the Chiefs already having secured the AFC's No. 1 playoff seed, allowing Chad Henne to draw the start. Reid said he'll sit some of the Chiefs' other key regulars as well, so players like Tyreek Hill (hamstring), Travis Kelce and Chris Jones also seem destined to miss the regular-season finale as the Chiefs prioritize health above all else heading into the postseason.

Garoppolo (ankle) won't be activated from injured reserve ahead of Sunday's season finale against the Seahawks, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

The 49ers designated Garoppolo to return from injured reserve at the beginning of Week 16, but that mostly seemed to be about getting him back on the practice field rather than preparing him for game action. Once the team was eliminated from playoff contention, there was never any suggestion Garoppolo might return for the final two weeks. While head coach Kyle Shanahan said he expects Garoppolo to be the 49ers' starting quarterback in 2021, it won't come as any great surprise if the team pursues an upgrade. Garoppolo has two years remaining on his contract, scheduled for non-guaranteed base salaries of $24.1 million and $24.2 million in 2021 and 2022, respectively, per OverTheCap.com. The dead-cap charge will be only $2.8 million if he's traded or released this offseason.

Murray (lower leg) expects to suit up Sunday against the Rams in Los Angeles, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.

Murray managed some reps at Wednesday's practice, taking part in a scrambling drill, according to Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site. Wednesday's injury report will reveal exactly how much work Murray was able to handle, but he appears to be putting himself in a position to play this weekend after sustaining a lower leg issue in last weekend's loss to the 49ers.

Heinicke worked with the first-team offense at Wednesday's practice, Rhiannon Walker of The Athletic reports.

Meanwhile, No. 1 quarterback Alex Smith performed some mobility drills on the side field as he attempts to recover from a strained right calf. After Washington cut 2019 first-round pick Dwayne Haskins on Monday, head coach Ron Rivera will have to make a decision between Smith and Heinicke for the start under center Sunday in Philadelphia, and so far Heinicke seems to have the clearest path to the job this weekend. Having said that, Rivera has expressed optimism that Smith will be available, so his activity level bears watching as the week goes on.

Murray (lower leg) is participating in the portion of Wednesday's practice open to the media, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Murray was spotted taking reps during a scrambling drill, a hint that the lower leg injury he sustained in last weekend's loss to the 49ers isn't a major concern. How well the star signal-caller holds up in practice this week will no doubt play a major role in determining his availability for Sunday's must-win road game against the Rams.

Murray (lower leg) is expected to participate in practice Wednesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Murray suffered what appeared to be a significant lower leg injury on the final drive of last weekend's loss to the 49ers, but head coach Kliff Kingsbury has since said that he's "hopeful" the second-year signal-caller will be available Week 17. If Murray is indeed able to handle at least limited reps to begin the practice week, it will bode well for his chances of facing the Rams on Sunday.

Stafford (ankle) won't practice Wednesday, Kyle Meinke of MLive.com reports.

Per Meinke, Stafford has said that he wants to play in the Lions' season finale Sunday against the Vikings, but with the team out of playoff contention, there's no real incentive to rush the quarterback back to action this weekend. With an absence on tap in the Lions' first Week 17 practice, Stafford now has two more chances to get back on the field before Detroit's final injury report of the the season is submitted Friday. Chase Daniel or David Blough would be the candidates to start the season finale if Stafford can't go.

The Cardinals hosted McDonald for a tryout Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

This is notable because Kyler Murray's (lower leg) status is in question for Sunday's game against the Rams. McDonald -- a rookie seventh-round pick -- hasn't signed with another team after being cut by the Titans early in training camp. If McDonald signs with the Cardinals, he'll simply add depth at quarterback. The Hawaii product posted a 64 percent completion rate, 4,135 passing yards and a 33:14 TD:INT ratio in his final collegiate season.

Rudolph will receive a spot start Sunday in Cleveland, Missi Matthews of the Steelers' official site reports.

Coach Mike Tomlin announced Tuesday that Ben Roethlisberger and other veterans to be determined won't suit up in the regular-season finale to fit in some rest before the playoffs. Rudolph has only played 21 snaps on offense this year, but in 10 appearances in 2019 he completed 62 percent of his passes for 1,765 yards, 13 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

Houston interim head coach Romeo Crennel said Watson (arm) will play Week 17 against Tennessee if he's healthy, John McClain of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Watson uttered a similar sentiment immediately following last Sunday's game, after he was sacked and hit the ground in pain. Now his head coach confirms Watson will play if he has no setbacks over the week.